The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-04-15
RETALIATION.


INSTALLATION.
Tho President Addresses . Letter to the
Massachusetts Fishermen ON tho SubJect
OF Retsliation-New England Excited.
WASHINGTON, April 9-The President.
having received q communication from the
American Fisheries Union of Massachu-
sets, calling attention to the fisheries dis
pute and suggesting that the Retaliatory
act, passed by the last Congress would, in
their opinion, be sufficiently executed if the
proposed retaliation was confined to the
closing Of United States markets to Cana
dian fish products, has made the following.
answer:
George Steele, Esq.. Presidept Americdn Fisheries.
Union, and Others. Gioucester, Mass:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 2.
Gentlemen: Ihave received your letter lately
addressed IL me, and have given full considera--
ton to the expression Of the views and wishes
therein contained in relation to the existing
differences between the Governments Of Great
Britain and the United States, growing out Of.
the refusal to award TO our citizens engaged in
fishing enterprises the privileges to which they
are entitled either under treaty stipulations
or the guarantees Of international comfy
and neighborly concessions. sincerely
trust the apprehension you express of unjust
and unfriendly treatment Of American fisher
men lawfully found in Canadian waters will not
be realized. But II such apprehension should
prove to be well founded, earnestly hope that
10 fault or inconsiderate action Of any Of our
citizens will in the least weaken the just posi-
ton Of our Government, or deprive us of the
universal sympathy and support to which we
should be entitled.
The action Of this administration since June
1885, when the fishery articles Of the treaty of
1871 were terminated under the notification
h{shh hal hAH1~
Government has been fully disclosed by the
correspondence between the representatives.
and the appropriate departments OF the re-
spective Governments, with which, I am
apprised by your letter, you are entirely famil-
lar. An examination Of this correspondence
has doubtless satisfied you that in no case.
have the rights or privileges OF American
fishermen been overlooked or neglected, but
that. on the contrary, they have been
sedulously insisted upon and cared for by
every means within the control Of the.
executive branch of the Government. The act
Of Congress approved March 3, 1885,, authorizing
a course of retaliation through executive action,
in the event Of continuance on the part of the
Brltish-American authorities Of unfriendly con-
duct and treaty violations affecting American
fishermen, has devolved upon the President OF
the United States exceedingly grave and solemn
responsibilities. comprehending highly impor-
tant consequences to our national character and
dignity, and involving extremely valuable COM
mercial intercourse between the British pos
sessions OF North America and the people Of the
United States
understand the main purpose of your letter
Is to suggest that in case recourse to the retaia
tory measures authorized by this act should be
invited by unjust treatment Of our fishermen in
the future. the object of such retaliation might
be fully accomplished by prohibiting Canadian
caught fish from entry into the ports of the
United States. The existing controversy is
one in which two nations are the parties con-
cerned. The retaliation contemplated by the
act Of Congress is to be enforced, not to protect
solely any particular interest, however meri-
tOrious or valuable, but to maintain the ma
tional honor. and thus protect all our people. In
this view the violation of American fishery
rights and unjust and unfriendly acts toward
a portion Of our citizens engaged in this BUSH
ness is but the occasion for action, and consti-
tutes national affront which gives birth to or
may justify retaliation. This measure once re
sorted to, its effectiveness and value may we'll
depend upon the thorougbness and extent of its
application: and in the performance Of inter-
national duties, the enforcement of interna-
tional rights and the protection of our citizens
this Government and the people Of the United
States must act as a initial intent upon at
tanning the best result of retaliation upon the
basis Of a maintena rance of national honor and
duty.
a.. -. s,..e ~ my ny " .
projecting the rights Of tie neonie. and n in
such efforts particular interests are injured and
special advantages forfeited these things should
be periodically borne for the public good. An
immense volume Of population, manufacturers
ana agricultural productions, and the marine
lonhase ana railways 70 wnich tnese nave-siven
800, -. az r..s, W.. VI n..., NC
,nd tho r,,tnraI ,ro,r,h ., I'm haIa .a.,,,-",
GOOD neighborbood ana friendly communication-
form an aggregate of material wealth and
relations of most imxessive
magnitude. 1 fully appreciate these things,
and am not unmindful of the great
NUMBER OF our people who are
~ such vas. anu ol'er,lhea interests
Pho ronnr,es hon ;,,,,ns ~, ~, US " .Sn
pxercise mon ms, occasion q, The no,rer con-
ferred urder tn. act referred To shall deem
Or injury upon any portion OF our peoples out
snnsn =, IL. - oe 80 nn.,n, s;,. W
The Nation deu,ands Tn me ,na;r,enancs ~
these. and in the snnnort of the honor of the